How Does Reality TV Shape Up Against Real Life and Real Well-being?
By Beth Hubrich, RD, CaloriesCount Contributor
So, last week I asked the question: “Do we love to eat or are we eating for love?” and with that in mind, I have another question for readers: “How does reality TV shape up against real life and real well-being?” Perhaps I should be ashamed to admit it, but last night I watched an episode of the Real Housewives of Orange County while working on one of my many “projects.”
I have been working on this project for quite some time and it involves the following: magazine covers, frames from the dollar store and gold spray paint. What does all this add up to, you ask? Well, I am painting the frames gold and then putting the cover of magazines in those frames. Then, my plan is to “wallpaper” my guest room with these framed works of art. I think most magazine covers are beautiful (think Veranda, House Beautiful, Martha Stewart Living, etc.,) so I decided why not use them as art? All in all, I have plans for about 30 magazine covers and last night I was working on the framing part of this project.
As you know, “the OC” as it is affectionately called is quite opulent and watching the palatial houses, big diamonds, super soirees, etc., made me feel quite silly about my little project. I mean, what would an OC housewife think if she found me sitting in my living room with magazine covers in dollar store frames painted gold? Tacky and “low budget” are three words that come to mind. But then it got me thinking:
Is reality TV real or just really over the top?
Sometimes when I watch this stuff I think, why can’t I find 3 hours to exercise, why can’t my house be perfect all the time, why can’t I dress in designer fashion and look amazing, where is my hair and make up person, where are my nanny and personal assistant to help out, and why, oh why did I not think of the concept of a “skinny girl margarita” and sell it to Jim Beam to the tune of hundreds of millions? (If you don’t know what I am talking about, google Bethenny Frankel). And, besides her multi millions, let’s not forget her great arms – why can’t I have those??
So here is my reality and I think this is the reality for most people. I do what I can when I can. I’ll probably never be PTO president, but I can volunteer in the classroom and at school. I’ll probably never live in a palace, but I can make my house look as beautiful as possible on a budget. (No one will ever know those frames came from the dollar store.) The hubby and I won’t be jetting off to some exotic locale in the near future, but we can plan a few date nights here and there. And, when it comes to eating and exercise, I’ll have to do the best I can there, too. So here are a few tips and tricks that I think are very doable:
- Walk both kids to and from school
- Try to exercise 5 times a week — I think 40-60 minutes is realistic
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Cut back on the full calorie and full fat sweets
- Drink more fluids (without calories)
I think all of these are very doable and are part of a sensible, small change/step approach. Asking myself to carve out 3 hours of exercise a day and completely overhaul my diet to only include fruits and veggies is not going to happen. I still want to enjoy a piece of cake and those girl scout cookies here and there.
The bottom line is that I have to be realistic with myself. I have two wonderful kids (and one on the way), an amazing husband, super friends and neighbors, a job I love and a fantastic extended family. There is never enough time in the day to do all that I want/need and yes, I would love to have more time to exercise and more time to spend with the hubby, and a housekeeper and chef would be ideal but hey, it’s a pretty good life. In fact, to quote Jimmy Stewart, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
No, it’s not perfect, but it is REAL.
Do you have questions about low-calorie sweeteners? Want to learn more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle? You asked and we listened. Our resident Registered Dietitians answered the most popular questions about low-calorie sweeteners.
